Angel Gomes, Noni Madueke, Tino Livramento and Morgan Gibbs-White have been named in caretaker manager Lee Carsley's first England squad.
Carsley announced his squad without Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Ivan Toney and Adam Wharton, who have all announced their retirement from international duty, with these four being called up for the first time.
Former Manchester United midfielder Gomez, who has played for England Under-21 under Carsley since 2020 at Lille, was the most high-profile selection, with Madueke, Livramento and Gibbs-White also having played under Carsley at that level.
Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire are back in the squad after missing Euro 2024, with places for Rico Ruiz and Levi Colwill. Goalkeeper Nick Pope is included in the squad but there is no place for Aaron Ramsdale, while Luke Shaw and Jude Bellingham are both absent through injury.
“I thought it was important to bring in some fresh faces and put our own little stamp on the team,” Carsley said, avoiding answering a question about whether he wanted to take on the managerial role long-term.
He pointed out that many of the younger players are used to winning for England – Gomez, Gibbs-White, Colwill and remaining players Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer all started under Carsley in the 2023 European Under-21 Championship final against Spain.
A quick guide to England national team matches
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United).
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Rico Luis (Manchester City), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille), Coby Mainou (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
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“Angel is very technically gifted,” Carsley said. “He controls the game with his skill and technique. He's very determined, has a great attitude and loves football. I think he's a player that people are excited to watch.”
Carsley described Maguire as “a really good leader, particularly with our centre-back line-up” and suggested Walker's absence was due to a lack of game time at Manchester City: “The fact that Kyle hasn't played this season suggests that City are looking to gradually integrate him into the team and we have to respect that.”
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Carsley is preparing for Nations League matches away to the Republic of Ireland (where he has made 40 appearances) and at home to Finland early next month. The midfielder was promoted from the Under-21 squad following manager Gareth Southgate's resignation after the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
“I've worked with a lot of players and I understand the international camps and selection so I feel like I'm a trusted resource at the moment,” Carsley said. “It was an easy decision (for me).”
